HAPPINESS is a year-long integrated series of guest speakers, roundtable discussions, films and courses that will consider the meaning and importance of happiness as a psychological, physiological, social and cultural phenomenon. It involves presentations by speakers from a number of disciplines who approach the theme from the standpoints of the arts, the wellness of body and mind, the demands of a consumer economy, the expectations and duties of political life, and the broad philosophical questions of human flourishing.


January


24
HAPPINESS Colloquium Presentation
“A Conversation about Happiness”
Christine Vitrano, assistant professor of philosophy at Brooklyn College and an expert on the philosophy of happiness and moral values, will discuss the idea of happiness from its ancient roots to the current day in a conversational interview with Dr. Bob Valgenti, LVC associate professor of philosophy. The conversation will pay special attention to the ethical dilemmas that arise when competing notions of happiness come into conflict.
Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery, 11 a.m.

29
HAPPINESS Colloquium Film*
“Pursuit of Happyness” (2006)
Based on a true story, “Pursuit of Happyness” stars Will Smith as Christopher Gardner, a salesman whose life seems to be falling apart. Gardner is forced to survive on the streets with his five-year-old son after his wife leaves him and he loses his house, bank account, and credit cards. Struggling to gain a job as a stockbroker, Gardner must see if he can endure six months of training before getting paid.
Allen Theatre, 5:30 p.m.


February

5
HAPPINESS Colloquium Presentation
“Money and Happiness, Giving and Getting”
Can money make you happy? This research suggests that it can–if you give it away. Harvard Business School professor Michael I. Norton will discuss how these findings change the way organizations should think about incentivizing employees—and how we should think about spending our own money.
Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery, 7 p.m.

12
HAPPINESS Colloquium Film*
“Happy” (2011)
The latest award-winning film from Academy Award-nominated director Roko Belic, “Happy” takes us on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what really makes people happy. Combining real life stories of people from around the world and powerful interviews with the leading scientists in happiness research, “Happy” explores the secrets behind our most valued emotion.
Allen Theatre, 5:30 p.m.

19
HAPPINESS Colloquium Presentation
“Against Happiness”
Eric G. Wilson, professor of English at Wake Forest University, argues that melancholia is necessary to any thriving culture, that it is the muse of great literature, painting, music, and innovation—and that it is the force underlying original insights. What most people take for contentment, Wilson argues, is living death, and what the majority takes for depression is a vital force.
Leedy Theater, Mund College Center, 7 p.m.

26
HAPPINESS Colloquium Film*
“You Can’t Take It with You” (1938)
In this romantic comedy from famed director Frank Capra, there is a clash of two separate worlds as Alice Sycamore, a woman from a simple yet bizarre brood falls in love with Tony Kirby, a man from a wealthy and arrogant bunch.
Allen Theatre, 5:30 p.m.



March


12
HAPPINESS Colloquium Film*
“Jiro Dreams of Sushi” (2011)
This documentary follows the life of 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono as he works in his world-famous restaurant located in the basement of a Tokyo office building. Jiro’s inspiring story shows his relationship with his son who will eventually take over the business and his mission to produce the perfect piece of sushi.
Allen Theatre, 5:30 p.m.


13-20
HAPPINESS Colloquium Event
A Week of Happiness
A number of student groups will celebrate a week of happiness through various activities and presentations. The events are intended to raise awareness of the role that ideas and experiences of happiness play in our lives, and will culminate on March 20, which has been designated by the United Nations as World Happiness Day.

14
HAPPINESS Colloquium Event
LVC Dance Team, “Dance Team Showcase”
The LVC Dance Team will showcase its enthusiasm and love for dance to illustrate how performance brings joy and happiness to themselves and others.
Leedy Theater, Mund College Center, 7 p.m.

20
HAPPINESS Colloquium Presentation
"Maxims or Myths: 6 Ideas about How to Increase Happiness in Daily Life"
Harvard Medical School psychologist Nancy Etcoff considers a half dozen common ideas (from daily habits to larger decisions) and discusses whether evidence from positive psychology and other sciences confirms or denies their importance in your happiness and well-being. She will focus on habits and decisions most relevant to a college population, including such topics as: Does it make a difference which dorm you live in? Or is self-esteem always a good thing?
Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery, 5 p.m.

26
HAPPINESS Colloquium Film*
“Proceed and Be Bold” (2008)*
This documentary film tells the story of Amos Paul Kennedy Jr., an internationally-recognized printing press artist who found his calling by creating chipboard posters. His socially, politically, and racially charged works of art launch discussions exploring the meaning of his art, the monetary and intrinsic values of art, and the true meaning behind the American Dream.
Allen Theatre, 5:30 p.m.


April


4
HAPPINESS Colloquium Presentation
“Doing Happiness”
“Doing Happiness” is not only a program, but also a way of life. Matt Glowacki’s presentation teaches people how to be a better friend, partner, or person by living in the moment and understanding how interactions affect us all. We all have the right to pursue happiness, but how many of us have the skill set to do so? Finding happiness is the most personal and important part of life. Everyone always says, “You can be anything you want to be, just be happy.” Isn’t it about time we all learned how happiness works, how best to identify it for ourselves, and how to share it with the other people in our lives?
Leedy Theater, Mund College Center, 11 a.m.

9
HAPPINESS Colloquium Film*
“American Beauty” (1999)
Although Lester and Carolyn Burnham seem to be living a perfect life, Lester is falling into a deep depression and eventually hits a breaking point when he becomes infatuated with his daughter’s friend. This film interweaves several stories to create a movie that explores themes of happiness, homophobia, and love.
Allen Theatre, 5:30 p.m.

16
HAPPINESS Colloquium Presentation
“Paths to Happiness: Different Times and Alternative Places”
Social community psychologist Dr. Carlos Rubén Carrasquillo will discuss various paths to happiness, happiness in a social and cultural context, and the challenges of finding happiness in new environments. Dr. Ivette Guzman Zavala, LVC assistant professor of Spanish, will conduct the conversation.
Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery, 11 a.m.